UNC rally comes up short in Sun Bowl

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was sacked on a decisive two-point conversion try, sending UNC to a 25-23 loss to Stanford in the Sun Bowl on Friday

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was sacked on a decisive two-point conversion try, sending UNC to a 25-23 loss to Stanford in the Sun Bowl on FridayNorth Carolina staged a near-miracle rally by driving from its own 2-yard line for a touchdown with 25 seconds left in Friday’s Sun Bowl game against Stanford.But unlike regular season victories against Pittsburgh and Florida State, the Tar Heels comeback attempt fell just short.Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was sacked on a decisive two-point conversion try, sending UNC to a 25-23 loss to the Cardinal.The decisive play came moments after Trubisky scrambled out of trouble and hit Bug Howard for a touchdown that momentarily kept the Tar Heels’ hopes alive. The late drive nearly helped Trubisky salvage a victory despite one of the worst performances of his career.The junior, in what could potentially be his final college game, was picked off twice and lost a fumble while going 23 of 39 for 280 yards and two touchdowns. The most damaging of those turnovers came early in the fourth quarter.Leading 17-16 on a freshman Jordon Brown’s first career touchdown run, UNC (8-5) had a chance to take control of the game when its defense forced a quick three-and-out. But Stanford took the momentum and the lead right back when Dallas Lloyd stepped in front of running back T.J. Logan, intercepted Trubisky’s pass and returned it 19 yards for the go-ahead score.The offensive woes helped spoil a gallant effort by the Tar Heels’ much-maligned defense.Aided by an injury that sidelined Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst for the final three quarters, UNC limited Stanford (10-3) to just 287 yards and one offensive touchdown. It also produced an incredible goal line stand that forced the Cardinal to settle for a field goal that kept the margin within a single score.Raleigh native Bryce Love rushed for 115 yards and caught a 49-yard touchdown pass for Stanford, playing in place of All-American Christian McCaffrey — who sat out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.

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